Suzy Mouse
<font color=green>DIS Veteran<br><font color=99009
- Joined
- Apr 1, 2000
- Messages
- 1,044
Just got back yesterday and haven't finished swaying as of yet. We had an incredible time and I want to thank everyone for posting tips, questions that would answer some of my questions and answer to the questions I did post.
I just wanted to post a few things here for future cruisers...
CLUB/LAB
*We registered the kids for camp as soon as possible. You don't need to have the kids there with you.
*What you should have ahead of time is a code word they ask for when you take your child out. It had to consist of 4-7 letters. I had to think of it on the spot and had a difficult time trying to think of something unique. You also have to have a family meeting place..I guess in case of an emergency. We chose our room number.
*My niece who would fall into the 5-7 category (she's 7 yrs 3 mnths) was moved up to be with my daughter8-9)...NOT A PROBLEM.
*We did the door signs...definitely helped the kids find their room.
CASTAWAY CAY
*GREAT TIP!!! with all of the hammocks...trees...lounges all looking the same we tied an orange swimmie to a post. When we got out of the water we were so far from our things yet were able to find our spot immediately. I suggest you bring a bring bandana and tie it to your area.
*BRING BREAD...when you eat breakfast on the ship or have lunch on the island bring bread back to the water. You can feed the fish sitting on the sand. It's amazing the size of the fish that come up to you. The kids were in awe! ALSO...bring some out while you snorkel (just hold it above you as you swim out) You'll be guaranteed to see a lot of fish!!!
*We also brought a napkin from the ship. My children don't like it when they get water in their eyes. Therefore I had it with me if it happened.
*Tubes vs raft....The tubes were EXTREMELY difficult to steer... little children's rears will fall through...however..I put my son on my lap and we went out together. He was able to look through the raft and see the floor of the water. The raft and tube were each $6. We got both. I prefer the raft.
PACKING...
I packed clothes to wear in the morning because I thought we had to dress for breakfast. I wound up not needing to wear them because we wore our bathing suits to the buffet upstairs...then heading straight to the pool.
MAGICAL MOMENTS SHOW...
*This is a show where all the children from the camp sing songs and they show pictures. My son(5) didn't want to be in it and I didn't push it. All the children did were sit on the stage, sing songs and do hand movements. The little ones were up at the very front of the stage. They had the first row clear just in case the children cried. The counselors were right there to tend to them. It was probably 15 minutes. My DD(8) did it and she got a beautiful t shirt.
GOLDEN MICKEYS
*We were the first in line for this. My DD and niece were asked to be in it. They were selected to be 2 of the 7 dwarfs. They each got a certificate and a pin. It was really cute and they loved it.
PICTURES
*Have your cameras with you at all times. A character can pop out at any moment and you'll be disappointed if you miss a picture.
* If you are standing in line to have your picture taken by the cruise give them your camera. They will take your picture.
* Make sure to check out Shutters. The pictures they take are gorgeous!!
LAST NIGHT
*They had a special character meet and greet the last night. It gets mobbed there and you don't know if there are lines or even where to go. It lasted from 10-10:25. The characters come out and scatter about. There are lines but they are all over. We got probably 4-5 autographs in that time period. Towards the end the characters line up on the staircase for pictures. If you can head up to the 4th floor for some pictures. Head up a bit earlier if possible for it tends to get crowded. You'll get some great shots.
CUTE THING I DID....
* For our cabin steward I rolled up 2 wash clothes and a hand towel and arranged them in the shape of a Mickey head. That's where I put his tip. Just a cute something.
I hope some of you find this information helpful. It's an amazing cruise and we look forward to doing it again (Actually we booked it for Nov 2005). If you do book it on board check with your travel agent when you return home. Ours said he could beat the price they gave me!!!
Thanks again to everyone who helped me plan this trip!!
I just wanted to post a few things here for future cruisers...
CLUB/LAB
*We registered the kids for camp as soon as possible. You don't need to have the kids there with you.
*What you should have ahead of time is a code word they ask for when you take your child out. It had to consist of 4-7 letters. I had to think of it on the spot and had a difficult time trying to think of something unique. You also have to have a family meeting place..I guess in case of an emergency. We chose our room number.
*My niece who would fall into the 5-7 category (she's 7 yrs 3 mnths) was moved up to be with my daughter8-9)...NOT A PROBLEM.
*We did the door signs...definitely helped the kids find their room.
CASTAWAY CAY
*GREAT TIP!!! with all of the hammocks...trees...lounges all looking the same we tied an orange swimmie to a post. When we got out of the water we were so far from our things yet were able to find our spot immediately. I suggest you bring a bring bandana and tie it to your area.
*BRING BREAD...when you eat breakfast on the ship or have lunch on the island bring bread back to the water. You can feed the fish sitting on the sand. It's amazing the size of the fish that come up to you. The kids were in awe! ALSO...bring some out while you snorkel (just hold it above you as you swim out) You'll be guaranteed to see a lot of fish!!!
*We also brought a napkin from the ship. My children don't like it when they get water in their eyes. Therefore I had it with me if it happened.
*Tubes vs raft....The tubes were EXTREMELY difficult to steer... little children's rears will fall through...however..I put my son on my lap and we went out together. He was able to look through the raft and see the floor of the water. The raft and tube were each $6. We got both. I prefer the raft.
PACKING...
I packed clothes to wear in the morning because I thought we had to dress for breakfast. I wound up not needing to wear them because we wore our bathing suits to the buffet upstairs...then heading straight to the pool.
MAGICAL MOMENTS SHOW...
*This is a show where all the children from the camp sing songs and they show pictures. My son(5) didn't want to be in it and I didn't push it. All the children did were sit on the stage, sing songs and do hand movements. The little ones were up at the very front of the stage. They had the first row clear just in case the children cried. The counselors were right there to tend to them. It was probably 15 minutes. My DD(8) did it and she got a beautiful t shirt.
GOLDEN MICKEYS
*We were the first in line for this. My DD and niece were asked to be in it. They were selected to be 2 of the 7 dwarfs. They each got a certificate and a pin. It was really cute and they loved it.
PICTURES
*Have your cameras with you at all times. A character can pop out at any moment and you'll be disappointed if you miss a picture.
* If you are standing in line to have your picture taken by the cruise give them your camera. They will take your picture.
* Make sure to check out Shutters. The pictures they take are gorgeous!!
LAST NIGHT
*They had a special character meet and greet the last night. It gets mobbed there and you don't know if there are lines or even where to go. It lasted from 10-10:25. The characters come out and scatter about. There are lines but they are all over. We got probably 4-5 autographs in that time period. Towards the end the characters line up on the staircase for pictures. If you can head up to the 4th floor for some pictures. Head up a bit earlier if possible for it tends to get crowded. You'll get some great shots.
CUTE THING I DID....
* For our cabin steward I rolled up 2 wash clothes and a hand towel and arranged them in the shape of a Mickey head. That's where I put his tip. Just a cute something.
I hope some of you find this information helpful. It's an amazing cruise and we look forward to doing it again (Actually we booked it for Nov 2005). If you do book it on board check with your travel agent when you return home. Ours said he could beat the price they gave me!!!
Thanks again to everyone who helped me plan this trip!!
Glad to hear about your trip being a great one! Thanks for all your great tips you gave in the report. Pauline
